U.S. and Afghan geological surveys have found
unexploited mineral deposits between
$1 trillion and
$3 trillion across Afghanistan's rugged terrain. Chinese
companies have already secured multiple multibillion dollar
investment projects and have begun making moves to ensure
the sites are safe enough.

"If you are able to see a more or less stable situation in
Afghanistan ... China will be the natural beneficiary," Andrew
Small, a China expert in the U.S., told AP. "China is the
only actor who can foot the level of investment needed in
Afghanistan to make it succeed and stick it out."

In September China's top security official visited Kabul —
marking the first visit by a leading Chinese government figure in
46 years — and announced that China would train 300 Afghan police
officers.